Working in Bridgeport, where to live? (Abilene, Denton: real estate, travel, rent)

[SuBu]

Newbie here who would first of all like to thank everyone who contributes here. Your knowledge of the area is very helpful to those of us venturing into the unknown. I have been lurking these boards ever since Hubbys transfer was as possibility. Now that things are definite I'm here to ask questions.

As the title says Hubby will be working in Bridgeport. We are hoping for no more than a thirty minute drive from work. I've been scouring the real estate sites and am amazed at housing prices. I'm also aware of the problems in the building industry in Texas. When I look at home listings the soil type is described as "sandy loom" perfect for horses. Is that also perfect for house foundations?

What we are looking for is the following.
Cable tv available or DSL for internet
2 to 10 acres with metal workshop allowed.
Everyday shopping within 15 minutes, ie grocerys or big box
Hills, I've lived in flat coastal Louisiana all my life. I want hills since I can't have mountains... yet.

Some of the towns that seem appealing so far are Springtown, Decatur, Rhome and Azle. I'm wondering about high speed internet availablity though.

One concern I have is Meth labs. Please excuse my ignorance. My current area is too humid for such things. Is this something I should be concerned about when I'm looking for a new home? National news makes a big deal about people buying homes that were use for Meth production and the health problems they encounter.

I've targeted my search so far to Wise and Parker Counties. Are these dry counties? How far will I have to travel if I want a bottle of Whiskey.

I'm excited about this move. Getting out of the hurricane territory, into a higher sea-level is a great move for us.

Thank you for reading, please give your opinions.

SuBu

[whimsical]

Lets see if I can answer just a few of the questions. First lets get the more important things out of the way. There is a liquor store in Rhome. So you are at least close to one. We did rent in Springtown right after our move from Louisiana but I don't recall a store there. But hills are there. In fact the house we rented was on 30 secluded acres right on top of a hill. Wasn't fun for the ice storms though. And the trees harbored scorpions......so that might be a question to ask.

The soil here is tricky. A lot of Rhome is setting on a rock shelf which is good for house foundations........bad for fencing work. Your best bet is to make sure the foundation has pylons underneath. Most well built houses will have them. I have no idea about Cable or DSL, most people we know get Dish or something like that and have High speed through their phone company or with wireless high speed (bluewirelessdata.com).

If I were looking I would go for the Paradise or Rhome area. They are up and coming areas that housing prices are still reasonable and small neighborhoods. You do have to drive 13-15 miles for the nearest Wal-mart though.

And Meth labs........not sure since I don't do that stuff. I just know my neighborhood doesn't as I visit with my neighbors on a regular basis.

Just to end.......trust me you will miss Louisiana drive through Daquiri places and hurricane parties. We do!

[SuBu]

thanks whimsical. I'll be in the area within the next two weeks and want to know what to look for in a home.

Aaahh drive through daiquiris, I'll miss them but more importantly, can you raise crawfish up there? I need to know if I should bring my traps

Rhome does have some appealing properties on Realtor.com.

[loves2read]

I really don't think you have to worry about buying a home that has been used as meth lab---

if you want hills Bridgeport itself seems to have fairly rolling topography as well as trees--it is the shopping that you might find fairly limited there---
have friend who lives in Bridgeport and commutes to Hurst TX daily because she teaches there--it is a heck of a drive, expensive and time consuming--
but she has horses and needs to live out in country...
Springtown--mobil home/trailer house community to large exctent on acre+ lots--not where I would recommend for building a home of any value

Rhome--NO TREES--part of the windswept prairie going to Abilene---just can't take that open space personally and think Wal-Mart is best they can offer if there is one there

Decatur--started out as small farming/ranching town S of Denton--off the main I-35 freeway--has more trees than the Rhome area from what I remember--but not sure about any developments in that area--know that land is probably cheaper than Keller area but not sure about roads--probably smaller, county roads which makes driiving problamatic if you can't pass slow movers or in icy weather...

[SuBu]

Thanks for the info loves2read. I am a lover of reading also and these boards provide informative reading.

I just got back from a scouting trip and have a good understanding of the landscape. I looked at houses in the towns you mentioned and you are pretty much on the mark. I was surprised to find more "essential" shopping opportunities in Decatur than I imagined. Bridgeport also had more shopping than I thought but also more dust from the rock crusher(?) plants.

The hills up there had me smiling and I'm looking forward to the move. I have a great realtor and managed to see close to 20 houses on my first trip. There are two possibilities but I want to wait a little bit hoping for a better match.

[momof2dfw]

Decatur is a great place. It is actually west of Denton. I have family from there and still living there. The place has GROWN! Used to be one flashing red light in all of town.. lol. It does have hills and trees but is well known for dairy farms and natural gas.